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The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary was the host of a unique event, namely, the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival, which took place at Looe Key Reef.
This event is also held for a good cause, as it looks to encourage reef protection. It is also trying to underline the importance of environmentally responsible diving.
The Underwater Music Festival is an Annual Event
This underwater event is hosted by WWUS 104.1 FM, the Keys’ radio station. In 2017, it was scheduled to take place on Saturday, July 11. It was set to start at 10 a.m. and last until 2 p.m., the same day. It took place at the Looe Key Reef, a region some six miles south of the Big Pine Key which is a part of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.
This year, 400 divers and snorkelers gathered to listen to the live music of the Lower Keys Underwater Music Festival. These come by boat to the Looe Key, which is part of the only living coral barrier reef in the continental United States. The event is also broadcast worldwide, and provides both promotion for the area and also raises awareness about coral reef formations.
“The Underwater Music Festival is a way to celebrate the coral reef, and we celebrate it by looking for a balance between protection of the reef and public enjoyment,” Bill Becker reportedly stated. He is the WWUS news director and also the event co-founder.
Divers and snorkelers can listen to public service announcements. These point out the ‘proper reef etiquette’, reef preservation methods, or that try to raise diver awareness.
The event is also presented as being able to enjoy music while swimming among colorful fish. Its playlist included songs such as “Yellow Submarine” from the Beatles, “Fins” from Jimmy Buffer, and “The Little Mermaid” theme.
Participants were encouraged and actually wore costumes portraying everything from mermaids to SpongeBob SquarePants, the famous animated character. They also pretended to play underwater musical instruments, for example, the baratuba.
Image Source: FreeGreatPicture
